NFL Rumors: Lavonte David, Bucs Agree to New 1-Year, $9M Contract in Free Agency

Lavonte David isn't going anywhere.

The veteran linebacker re-signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a one-year, $9 million deal that could reach up to $10 million, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

David, 34, is a one-time Pro Bowler, one-time first-team All-Pro selection and one-time champion, spending his entire career with the Bucs.

He's never posted fewer than 87 tackles in a season and has remained effective well into his 30s, registering 134 tackles (17 for loss), 4.5 sacks, five quarterback hits, five passes defensed and a forced fumble in 15 games this past year.

"You don't see dudes, even at a young age, playing at his level," Bucs outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka told reporters in December regarding David. "He's flying around with a level of athleticism and precision and overall recognition of the offense that's special. That's a physical position he's playing, dawg, and he's just flat-out flying around like he's 22 years old."

It was his 10th season registering at least 100 tackles. No active player has more career tackles (1,035), which also ranks 11th in NFL history (though tackles didn't become an official statistic until 1994). Another healthy season should see him shoot well up those ranks.

While injuries have naturally become a bit more of an issue as he's gotten older—he's missed seven games across the past three seasons after only missing seven in his first nine seasons—David was a key part of a Tampa Bay team that reached the playoffs and beat the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card Round.

It was unclear if he would consider retirement this offseason, but he ultimately chose to run it back for at least one more year. It's only fitting that he'll be returning for another go-around with the only franchise he's ever known.